Can I import Java class files into JRuby?

The documentation seems to suggest that in order for me to import Java classes into JRuby, that they must be in a JAR file:

"In order to use resources within a jar file from JRuby the jar file must either be on the classpath or you can make it available with the require method" (http://wiki.jruby.org/wiki/Calling_Java_from_JRuby#Require_a_jar_file_to_make_resources_in_the_jar_discoverable_within_JRuby)

Is it at all possible to import .class files directly?

Thanks!

From stackoverflow bjnortier

• I've managed to answer my own question :)

  If your class files are compiled to a relative path of "target", e.g. foo.Bar is located in "target/foo/Bar.class", then you do the following:

  require 'java'
  require 'target/foo/Bar'
  
  module Foo
    include_package 'foo'
  end
  
  puts Foo::Bar.new
  

  And the result:

  foo.Bar@1582a7c
  

  From bjnortier

• I think you could also:

  require 'java'
  $CLASS_PATH << "target"
  

  and then

  foo.bar.baz.Class.new() # ... 
  # or 
  java_import 'foo.bar.baz.Class'
  

  From reto